I'd like to hear from anybody that got ripped off on advance tickets or accomodations or wasted their time riding up to the biggest scam in Ontario biker history (Northern Wheels Bike Week, Collingwood, Ontario...June 5th to June 9th, 2005). Tell me about it...tell us all about it. Share your thoughts and your feelings.

Town councillors put the brakes on a motorcycle event that was to happen this week,after organizers failed to come throught and provide town officials with proper insurance documents and a security plan.

Council had passed a motion about four weeks ago to give the Northern Wheels Bike Week a special events permit, contingent on organizers satisfying the concerns of the OPP and Collingwood fire department.The event was to be held on the west end of the Bygone Days Heritage Village property.Collingwood OPP detachment commander,Staff Sgt John Trude withdrew this support for the event's permit after the Barrie-based security firm originally hired for security withdrew its services.

Because Trude pulled his support last week,town clerk Gord Norris withdrew the town's support of the event's application to the Liquor Licensing Board of Ontario for a liquor license.

Event organizer Jon Quartz told council on Monday night that another firm-but not one licensed under the province-had been hired,but that wasn't good enough for Trude, and in turn no good enough for council.

Jon Quartz said he went to the other firm because the first company tripled the price when it came time to sign a deal.He also told council insurance for the event had been taken care of the insurance company had just not yet sent him a certificate of insurance.Councillor Ian Chadwick attempted to convince other councillors that the town should still issue a special events permit to allow Northern Wheels to go ahead,even with the misgivings of municipal staff.This is a first-time event for the organizers, and if they can meet the requirements of insurance and security,we should give them our support, he said.It's a good event for the community and i would hate to see us lose it. ( Shutting down the event) reflects on our community.

However,it wasn't enough to persuade other councillors.This is a risk and liability situation, said Mayor Terry Geddes.After the meeting Jon Quartz told the E-B he was heading out to the site to tell vendors and attendees who had already shown up that the event was cancelled.He also said he had invested hundreds of thousands of dollars of his own money into the event, including a road that was built through the site that was required by the fire department,bands and entertainment, and advertising.